Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Preventing Litter Box Mishaps

By Angela Suarez


If you have a cat then at one point or another, you will be faced with a litter box accident. It could be something that your cat just doesn't like or she could be sick.

This is nothing to be angry over, because cats make mistakes too or they get sick. Read along to find some troubleshooting tips to help you clear up some of the more common problems.

If your cat is not using her litter pan or eliminating in the wrong spot then you need to find out what is causing the issue.

One of the first things you should do is take her to the veterinarian to rule out a medical issue. It could be something as simple as a urinary tract infection, which are painful and need immediate attention.

Cats, like humans are prone to urinary tract infections and they are not pleasant experiences for either, so your kitty will need prompt treatment to alleviate discomfort.

Once your cat has been given a clean bill of health then the next step is to study her litter boxes.

Are they clean and tidy? Do you scoop them out daily? Do you make the effort to clean the box at least once a month?

If your answer is no, then doing all of the above is next on your list.

To help prevent litter odors, have an extra set of paper towels as well as a bleach and water solution by your litter boxes to spot treat them when you clean every day.

The perfect time to do this is when you scoop out dirty litter on your daily rounds. It might be very helpful to keep a spray bottle and paper towels right by the box so you won't forget this little chore.

Do you have a sufficient amount of litter pans per cat? The rule (in general) is to have one plus one, which is one litter box per cat plus an extra one.

Something else that you should look out for is the fact that any changes you make to your cat's litter or box area has the potential to cause inappropriate elimination. It is perfectly okay to switch brands but you should do so gradually.

Some cats have been known to stick their noses up at certain litter because they don't like the smell or even the way it feels on their paws!

Keep a journal of changes you make so if things turn out badly (accidents) then you know what has caused the issue.

If you keep her litter box clean and tidy as well as stay consistent, you should be on your way to a clean and happy household.




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